1. You do not have to talk to FBI agents, police, or other investigators. You do not have to talk to them in your house, on the street; if you have been arrested, or even in jail. Only a court or grand jury has legal authority to compel testimony.
2. You don't have to let the FBI or police into your home or office unless they show you an arrest or search warrant which authorizes them to enter that specific place.
3. If they do present a warrant, you do not have to tell them anything other than your name and address. You do have a right to observe what they do. Make written notes, including the agent's names, agency, and badge numbers. Try to have other people present as witnesses, and have them make written notes too. (note: when presented with a search warrant make sure you check it and it is the correct warrant for your house, etc.)
4. Anything you say to an FBI agent or other law enforcement officer may be used against you and other people.
5. Giving the FBI or police information may mean that you will have to testify to the same information at a trial or before a grand jury.
6. Lying to an FBI agent or other federal investigator is a crime. (although they can lie to you!).
7. The best advice, if the FBI or other police try to question you or enter your home or office without a warrant, is to JUST SAY NO!! FBI agents have a job to do, and they are highly skilled at it. Attempting to outwit them is very risky. You can never tell how a semmingly harmless bit of information can help them hurt you or someone else.
8. The FBI or police may threaten you with a grand jury subpoena if you don't give them information. But you may get one anyway, and anything you've already told them will be the basis for more detailed questioning under oath. (If you do get a subpoena, you might be able to fight it with help from these groups.)
9. They may try to threaten or intimidate you by pretending to have information about you:"We know what you have been doing, but if you cooperate it will be alright." If you are concerned about this, tell them you will talk to them with your lawyer present.
10. If you are nervous about simply refusing to talk, you may find it easier to tell the to contact your lawyer. Once a lawyer is involved, the FBI and police usually pull back since they lose their power to intimidate.
REMEMBER, DON'T TALK TO FBI OR ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, THEY ARE THERE TO STOP AND DISMANTLE OUR MOVEMENTS.
Southe End Press/ 116 St. Botolph St./ Boston, MA 02115 for $5.00.